While receiving outgoing Russian Ambassador Vadim Viktorovich Serafimov in Hanoi on July 27, Vietnam’s top legislator highly appreciated the ambassador’s contributions to consolidating and strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. 

During his term of office, the two countries have exchanged many high-ranking delegations and bilateral ties have continuously developed in various fields, especially economics, trade, culture, science and technology, Mr Trong said. 

The two countries’ high-ranking leaders have also agreed to raise the Vietnam-Russia relationship to a strategic partnership in the 21^st century, he added. 

Ambassador Serafimov said he was pleased with the fine developments of Russia-Vietnam ties, both bilaterally and multilaterally. 

He applauded NA Chairman Trong’s official visit to Russia early this year, saying that it was an important contribution to developing the friendship and cooperation between the two nations. 

However, the ambassador also noted that the economic and trade cooperation hasn’t yet matched its potential and expectations.